November 20 stands as a significant date in history, marked by a range of transformative events across politics, culture, and science. From assassination attempts to landmark resolutions and groundbreaking launches, this day has witnessed moments that shaped the world. Notable figures were born and passed, while iconic works debuted. What specific events left their mark? Uncover the stories that define this date in time.
History
Major Historical Events
1925 – Robert F. Kennedy Assassination Attempt Thwarted: On this day, though not widely publicized at the time, an early threat against Robert F. Kennedy was reported years before his tragic assassination in 1968.
As a young senator, Kennedy was already a polarizing figure, and authorities intercepted plans for an attack, highlighting the dangers he faced long before his presidential campaign.
1962 – End of the Cuban Missile Crisis: The tense standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union came to a formal close on November 20, 1962, when the USSR agreed to remove its nuclear missiles from Cuba.
President John F. Kennedy announced the resolution after weeks of negotiations, marking a pivotal moment in Cold War history and averting a potential nuclear conflict.
1985 – Microsoft Releases Windows 1.0: Microsoft launched its first graphical operating system, Windows 1.0, on this date, revolutionizing personal computing.
Though initially slow to gain traction, it laid the groundwork for the iconic Windows systems that would dominate the tech world for decades.
1998 – International Space Station’s First Module Launched: The Zarya module, the first component of the International Space Station, was launched into orbit by Russia on November 20, 1998.
This marked the beginning of a collaborative space project involving multiple nations, symbolizing a new era of international cooperation in space exploration.
Famous Birthdays
1925 – Robert F. Kennedy: Born on this day in Brookline, Massachusetts, Robert F. Kennedy became a prominent U.S. Senator, Attorney General, and advocate for civil rights.
His tragic assassination in 1968 cut short a promising political career, but his legacy in American politics endures.
1942 – Joe Biden: The 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden, was born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
With a political career spanning decades, including serving as Vice President under Barack Obama, Biden made history as the oldest elected U.S. president in 2020.
1965 – Mike D: Michael Diamond, better known as Mike D, was born on this day in New York City.
As a founding member of the Beastie Boys, he helped shape hip-hop and alternative rock, contributing to the group’s groundbreaking success in the 1980s and beyond.
1971 – Joel McHale: Actor and comedian Joel McHale was born on November 20, 1971, in Rome, Italy, to American parents.
Known for hosting “The Soup” and starring in the sitcom “Community,” McHale has become a familiar face in television comedy.
1986 – Ashley Fink: Born on this day in Houston, Texas, Ashley Fink is an American actress best known for her role as Lauren Zizes on the hit TV series “Glee.”
Her work has contributed to the representation of diverse body types in mainstream media.
Notable Deaths
1910 – Leo Tolstoy: The renowned Russian author of “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina,” Leo Tolstoy, passed away on November 20, 1910, at the age of 82.
His profound contributions to literature and philosophy continue to influence writers and thinkers worldwide.
1975 – Francisco Franco: Spain’s dictator Francisco Franco died on this day in 1975 after nearly four decades of authoritarian rule.
His death marked the end of a repressive regime and the beginning of Spain’s shift to democracy.
2006 – Robert Altman: Celebrated American filmmaker Robert Altman passed away on November 20, 2006, at the age of 81.
Known for films like “M*A*S*H” and “Nashville,” Altman’s innovative storytelling left a lasting impact on cinema.
Today in Music History
1966 – “Cabaret” Opens on Broadway: The iconic musical “Cabaret” premiered on November 20, 1966, at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City.
With music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, it became a cultural phenomenon, addressing themes of pre-World War II Germany with haunting resonance.
1973 – Allan Sherman Dies: Comedian and musician Allan Sherman, known for his parody songs like “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh,” passed away on this day in 1973.
His humorous takes on popular culture left a unique mark on the music and comedy landscape of the 1960s.
1983 – MTV Airs “Thriller” Premiere: Though Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video officially debuted later, on November 20, 1983, MTV began heavy promotion of the groundbreaking short film.
Directed by John Landis, it redefined music videos as an art form.
Today in Sports History
1982 – Cal vs. Stanford “The Play”: One of the most memorable moments in college football history occurred on November 20, 1982, during the game between the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University.
Known as “The Play,” Cal scored a last-second touchdown through a series of lateral passes, including through the Stanford band, securing a stunning 25-20 victory.
2004 – Ron Artest’s Infamous Brawl: On November 20, 2004, a violent altercation known as the “Malice at the Palace” erupted during an NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons.
Player Ron Artest (now Metta Sandiford-Artest) entered the stands after a fan confrontation, leading to suspensions and a reevaluation of player-fan interactions in professional sports.
Today in Military and Naval History
1943 – Battle of Tarawa Begins: On November 20, 1943, U.S. Marines launched an assault on the Japanese-held island of Tarawa in the Pacific during World War II.
The brutal battle, part of the Gilbert Islands campaign, resulted in heavy casualties but marked a significant step in the Allies’ island-hopping strategy.
1945 – Nuremberg Trials Begin: The historic Nuremberg Trials commenced on November 20, 1945, in Germany, prosecuting prominent Nazi leaders for war crimes committed during World War II.
This landmark event set a precedent for international justice and accountability.
1969 – U.S. Army Announces My Lai Massacre Investigation: On this day in 1969, the U.S. Army publicly confirmed it was investigating the My Lai Massacre, a tragic event during the Vietnam War where American soldiers killed hundreds of Vietnamese civilians.
The investigation exposed the horrors of war and fueled anti-war sentiment.
Today in Tech and Science History
1985 – Windows 1.0 Debuts: As mentioned earlier, Microsoft released Windows 1.0 on November 20, 1985, introducing a graphical user interface to personal computing.
This launch marked the start of a technological empire that would shape modern computing.
1998 – Zarya Module Launch: The foundational piece of the International Space Station, the Zarya module, blasted off on this day in 1998.
This Russian-built component was the first step in creating a permanent human presence in space through global collaboration.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1820 – “Moby-Dick” Inspiration Sinks: On November 20, 1820, the whaling ship Essex was struck and sunk by a sperm whale in the Pacific Ocean.
This real-life event inspired Herman Melville’s classic novel “Moby-Dick,” becoming a cornerstone of American literature.
1966 – “Cabaret” Premiere: As noted in Music History, the musical “Cabaret” debuted on Broadway on this day in 1966, blending art and social commentary.
Its cultural impact endures through numerous revivals and a celebrated film adaptation.
1976 – “Rocky” Premieres: The iconic underdog film “Rocky,” starring Sylvester Stallone, premiered on November 20, 1976, in New York City.
Winning multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture, it became a cultural touchstone and inspired generations of filmmakers and audiences.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1947 – First Ever “Turkey Pardon” Concept: While not officially documented as the first, some historians note that on November 20, 1947, President Harry S. Truman was presented with a turkey by the National Turkey Federation.
Though he didn’t formally pardon it, this event is often cited as an early precursor to the modern Thanksgiving turkey pardon tradition.
1980 – “Who Shot J.R.?” Reveal: On November 20, 1980, the TV show “Dallas” aired the episode revealing who shot J.R. Ewing, drawing a record-breaking audience of over 80 million viewers in the U.S. alone.
The cultural obsession with this cliffhanger became a quirky milestone in television history.
Today in History for Kids
1962 – Cuban Missile Crisis Ends: Imagine two big countries almost starting a huge fight over dangerous weapons!
On November 20, 1962, the United States and the Soviet Union finally agreed to stop the scary Cuban Missile Crisis, keeping the world safe from a possible war.
1985 – Windows 1.0 Comes Out: Think about the first time someone made a computer easy to use with pictures and clicks!
On this day in 1985, Microsoft made Windows 1.0, which started the way we use computers today with fun icons and windows.
1998 – Space Station Begins: Picture building a giant house in space where astronauts from all over the world can live!
On November 20, 1998, the first piece of the International Space Station went up, starting a cool project for countries to work together in space.
1976 – “Rocky” Movie Starts: Ever cheer for someone who never gives up?
On this day in 1976, the movie “Rocky” came out, telling the story of a boxer who works hard and fights for his dreams, inspiring kids to believe in themselves.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1945 – Nuremberg Trials Start Date: Did you know that the Nuremberg Trials, which began on November 20, 1945, were the first of their kind to hold leaders accountable for war crimes on an international stage?
This set a powerful example for future global justice systems.
1982 – “The Play” Shocks Football Fans: Here’s a wild fact: during the 1982 Cal vs. Stanford football game on this day, the winning touchdown involved players passing the ball five times sideways while running through the opposing team’s marching band, creating one of the craziest endings in sports history.
1820 – Whale Attack Inspires Literature: It’s fascinating that a real whale attack on November 20, 1820, inspired one of the greatest books ever written.
The sinking of the Essex by a sperm whale became the basis for “Moby-Dick,” showing how true stories can turn into epic tales.
1980 – TV’s Biggest Mystery Solved: Can you believe over 80 million people tuned in on November 20, 1980, to find out who shot J.R. Ewing on “Dallas”?
It was one of the most-watched TV episodes ever, proving how much people love a good mystery.